If you were impacted by the federal furlough, the Hebrew Free Loan Association (HFL) may be able to help.
This program offers interest-free loans up to $18,000, disbursed in monthly installments of up to $3,000 for a maximum of six months. These funds are designed to help cover basic living expenses while you wait for back pay or search for your next opportunity.
Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must:
Be Jewish or have a Jewish spouse
Live in the DC metro area
Have been furloughed by the federal government
Be able to repay the loan once re-employed
Guarantors
Provide:
1 guarantor if your credit score is below 740 (credit check required)
or
No guarantor if your credit score is above 740 (credit check required)
Guarantors must:
Earn at least $70,000 annually
Have the financial ability to cover the loan if needed
Ideally be Jewish and live locally
Loan Terms
Loan Terms
Maximum loan: $18,000
Disbursed monthly, up to $3,000/month
Monthly payouts:
Must be requested by the borrower
Cannot exceed previous monthly income
Repayment begins after employment is restored or after 9 months (whichever comes sooner); monthly repayment amounts are on a sliding scale depending on the amount borrowed, increasing gradually
If back pay is received from the government, HFL loan repayment is expected in full within one week of back payment receipt
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit your loan application
If you need a guarantor, ask your guarantor to complete the guarantor form
After review, an HFL volunteer will schedule a phone interview
The loan committee will evaluate your application
If approved, a Zoom loan closing will be scheduled with you and your guarantor(s)
Final documents will be sent via DocuSign
Funds will be transferred directly to your account
